BTS: U.S. freight volume with Canada, Mexico down 2 percent

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The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) recently released data on U.S. freight volume on all modes of transit from and to Canada and Mexico for February, with U.S. freight volume surpassing both nations.

However, the total value of cross-border freight carried on all modes fell 2.0 percent compared with February 2015 to $84.0 billion.

Rail-based freight value increased by 6 percent between February 2015 and February 2016, the greatest increase out of all modes over this time period. The value of commodities moved on trucks increased 4.7 percent year over year. Decreases were seen in sea vessel, air and pipeline-based freight transportation. Freight value delivered by sea vessel saw the greatest decrease from February 2015, at 41 percent.

Altogether, the value of freight between the U.S. and Canada reported a decrease of 5.5 percent. The BTS indicates that this can be attributed to lower costs of crude oil and that the numbers were dragged down by sea vessel and pipeline transit modes.

Vehicles and parts made up the largest portion of commodities transported between the U.S. and Canada, making up 56.2 percent of commodities transported.

This data has not been adjusted for seasonal and inflation related matters. The BTS said these numbers can be updated if additional information is submitted.




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